A tropical depression has formed northwest of Niue and is predicted to intensify as it moves southeast.
A gale warning has been issued with winds of up to 65 kilometres an hour expected over the next six to 12 hours.
The depression, on its current track, is expected to pass close to the island tonight with winds lifting and gusting up to 110 kilometres per hour.
Heavy squally rain with thunderstorms and very rough seas are predicted.
Earlier today strong winds and rain battered parts of American Samoa.l
